Midline pars retractor

ABSTRACT

A midline retractor provides access for the placement of PARS screws and other surgical sites. A lower profile allows for better visualization of the patients anatomy and provides better access for surgical instruments. The retractor may include integrated lighting, such as fiber optic lighting or other suitable lighting. The blades of the retractor may include a textured profile, such as diamond plating, grooves, etching or any other desired textured treatment on the blades. The texture on the blades may keep tissue from migrating down the blades and may prevent the blades from slipping up and out of the patient. The PARS retractor may include a blade rotation locking mechanism and/or a blade toe feature that allows for ease of use and an adjustable blade toe. The retractor may also include a rack release that provides for free movement of the rack.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/615,140, filed Feb. 5, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/936,199, filed on Feb. 5, 2014 andthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/985,911, filedon Apr. 29, 2014, and all of the foregoing are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to retractors. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a retractor useful forcreating a minimally invasive access opening to an intervertebral space.

BACKGROUND

A variety of tools are available for surgeons for retracting tissue tocreate a surgical access. However there is a continuing need to provideimproved tools for the same, especially system, tools and techniques forcreating a minimally invasive access path to an intervertebral space.

SUMMARY

A retractor can be configured as a midline retractor that providesaccess for the placement of PARS screws. It is contemplated that theretractor can also be used to provide access to other surgical sites.

In certain embodiments, the retractor allows for a small incision and islower profile than conventional retractors. A lower profile allows forbetter visualization of the patients anatomy and provides better accessfor surgical instruments.

In certain embodiments, the retractor may include integrated lighting,such as fiber optic lighting or other suitable lighting.

In certain embodiments, the blades of the retractor may include atextured profile, such as diamond plating, grooves, etching or any otherdesired textured treatment on the blades. The texture on the blades maykeep tissue from migrating down the blades and may prevent the bladesfrom slipping up and out of the patient.

In certain embodiments, the PARS retractor includes a unique bladerotation locking mechanism.

In certain embodiments, a blade toe feature can be provided, whichallows for ease of use and an adjustable blade toe.

In certain embodiments, the retractor can include a rack release thatprovides for free movement of the rack.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for thesubject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanyingthe appended drawings for people skilled in this field to wellappreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood thatthe features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented onhereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but alsoin other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the inventionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explainedwith reference to example embodiments thereof. However, theseembodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to anyspecific example, embodiment, environment, applications or particularimplementations described in these embodiments. Therefore, descriptionof these embodiments is only for purpose of illustration rather than tolimit the present invention. It should be appreciated that, in thefollowing embodiments and the attached drawings, elements unrelated tothe present invention are omitted from depiction; and dimensionalrelationships among individual elements in the attached drawings areillustrated only for ease of understanding, but not to limit the actualscale.

The invention in certain embodiments includes a low profile retractor100. Retractor 100 may include at least one blade 112. Blade 112 mayinclude a proximal end and a distal end. Blade 112 may rotate between anopen position and a closed position relative to the surgical site andany variable position there between.

The retractor of the present invention may include a blade rotation lockmechanism. The blade rotation lock mechanism may allow the user to lockblade rotation. In one aspect, the blade rotation lock mechanism mayinclude a hex key. The hex key may be inserted into a cam hex 114 andthen the hex key may be rotated one direction, such as for example,clockwise to lock and another direction, such as for example,counterclockwise, to unlock the blade rotation. Of course, thelock/unlock directions could also be configured to work in reverse.

The retractor may further include a blade toe feature. The blade toefeature allows the blade to be toed out to up to about 15 degrees. Inone embodiment, the initial blade toe may be at zero degrees. A springloaded mechanism 116 may allow for adjustable blade toe angulation andmanipulation. A second spring loaded mechanism 118 within a blade nipple120 provides easy blade attachment to a toe arm 122. In anotherembodiment, a hex key may be inserted into a tow screw 124 and rotated,creating an adjustable toe out for each blade between the range of about0 to 15 degrees, creating a total toe out in the range of about 30degrees between the blades.

In yet another example embodiment, the retractor may include a rackrelease 200. Rack release 200 may include two buttons: rack clicker 210and release button 212. According to one embodiment, rack ratchet 210may be a 2 stage push button. The first stage may free the rack whilebutton or lever 210 is pushed. The second stage may occur when button orlever 210 is pushed down until it is locked into place by release member212, providing free movement of the rack without requiring the user tohold rack ratchet 210. Once the desired position is reached, releasemember 212 may be pulled back, allowing rack ratchet 210 to reengagewith the rack. Additional features and aspects of the invention aredepicted in the appended FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment which may include a universal or hex key300. Universal key 300 may control many functions of the retractor,unlike conventional retractors which require different keys for eachfunction. Universal key 300 may create retraction with a gear and rackmechanism 310 or other suitable mechanism. Key 300 may also lockrotation of the blades in the retractor frame as shown at 312. Universalkey 300 may create toe out of the distal tips of the retractor blades asshown at 314. Key 300 may also lock a light fiber clamp for positionalcontrol of the light fiber as shown in 316.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment where universal key 300 may be used.According to one embodiment, key 300 may be placed in cam 400 and thenuniversal key 300 may be rotated clockwise to push cam block 410 againstblade nipple 412 to prevent the blade from rotating in the toe arm 414.In another embodiment, cam 400 may be turned counterclockwise to unlockthe blade. A spring ring 416 may push cam block 410 away from bladenipple 412 such that the blade may rotate or be removed from toe arm414.

Referring to FIG. 5, universal key 300 may be placed in toe screw 500.Toe screw 500 may be turned clockwise to create toe of the blade. Screw500 may be forced against a first shaft 512. Shaft 512 may be connectedto body 514. Body 514 may pivot on a second shaft 516. Spring 518 maycreate force against shaft 512 forcing shaft 512 back up when screw 500is rotated counterclockwise.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the present invention includingrack position control buttons 600 and 610 which may include a one-handeddual control mechanism. Button 600 may be pressed to place the rack in aneutral position, allowing for easy alignment of the rack arms onto theblade nipples. Once the blade nipples are connected to the rack arms,rack button 610 may be activated to place the assembly into gear, thuscontrolling and/or locking the assembly into the open position andpreventing the rack from closing under pressure and/or retraction.However, once button 610 is activated, the assembly may still be openedfurther by turning a universal key. This one-handed dual controlmechanism enables the surgeon to adjust the retractor with one hand,thus maintaining a free hand.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is,therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the artmay recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment describedherein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claimsattached hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A midline retractor for providing access for theplacement of PARS screws, the retractor comprising: a retractor body; ablade coupled to the retractor body, the blade rotatable between an openposition and a closed position; and a blade rotation lock mechanismprovided to the retractor body and coupled to the blade such that arotational position of the blade can be locked, wherein the bladerotation lock mechanism includes a release member to disengage the bladefrom the blade rotation lock mechanism.
 2. The retractor of claim 1,wherein the blade rotation lock mechanism includes a rack and a ratchet,and wherein the release member disengages the ratchet from the rack. 3.The retractor of claim 2, wherein the release member is a portion of theratchet.
 4. The retractor of claim 2, wherein the ratchet is pivotallymounted such that a rack engagement portion is defined adjacent a firstend thereof and an opposing second end thereof defines the releasemember, and wherein a pivot point for the pivotal mounting is locatedlongitudinally between the engagement portion and the release member. 5.The retractor of claim 2, wherein the release member defines two stages,wherein the first stage disengages the ratchet from the rack when aforce is applied to the release member and reengages the ratchet withthe rack when the force is removed from the release member, and whereinthe second stage disengages the ratchet from the rack when a force isapplied to the release member and the ratchet stays disengaged from therack when the force is removed from the release member.
 6. The retractorof claim 5, wherein the blade rotation lock mechanism further includes areset member that reengages the ratchet with the rack when the resetmember is actuated.
 7. The retractor of claim 6, wherein the resetmember defines a notched portion which captures at least a portion ofthe release member when the release member is in the second stage.
 8. Amidline retractor for providing access for the placement of PARS screws,the retractor comprising: a retractor body; a blade coupled to theretractor body such that a position of the blade can be moved; and ablade lock mechanism provided to the retractor body and coupled to theblade such that the position of the blade can be locked, wherein theblade lock mechanism includes a release member to disengage the bladefrom the blade lock mechanism.
 9. The retractor of claim 8, wherein theblade lock mechanism includes a rack and a ratchet, and wherein therelease member disengages the ratchet from the rack when a force isapplied to the release member.
 10. The retractor of claim 9, wherein therelease member is a lever portion of the ratchet.
 11. The retractor ofclaim 9, wherein the ratchet is pivotally mounted such that a rackengagement portion is defined adjacent a first end thereof and anopposing second end thereof defines the release member, and wherein apivot point for the pivotal mounting is located longitudinally betweenthe engagement portion and the release member.
 12. The retractor ofclaim 9, wherein the release member defines two stages, wherein thefirst stage disengages the ratchet from the rack when a force is appliedto the release member and reengages the ratchet with the rack when theforce is removed from the release member, and wherein the second stagedisengages the ratchet from the rack when a force is applied to therelease member and the ratchet stays disengaged from the rack when theforce is removed from the release member.
 13. The retractor of claim 12,wherein the blade lock mechanism further includes a reset member thatreengages the ratchet with the rack when the reset member is actuated.14. The retractor of claim 13, wherein the reset member defines anotched portion which captures at least a portion of the release memberwhen the release member is in the second stage.
 15. The retractor ofclaim 9, wherein the blade lock mechanism further includes a resetmember that reengages the ratchet with the rack when the reset member isactuated.
 16. The retractor of claim 9, wherein the ratchet remainsdisengaged from the rack when the force is removed from the releasemember.
 17. The retractor of claim 16, wherein the blade lock mechanismfurther includes a reset member that reengages the ratchet with the rackwhen the reset member is actuated.
 18. A midline retractor for providingaccess for the placement of PARS screws, the retractor comprising: aretractor body; a blade coupled to the retractor body such that aposition of the blade can be moved; and a blade lock mechanism providedto the retractor body and coupled to the blade such that the position ofthe blade can be locked, wherein the blade lock mechanism includes meansfor disengaging the blade from the blade lock mechanism so that theblade is freely movable.
 19. The retractor of claim 18, furthercomprising means for maintaining disengagement of the blade in theabsence of an external force being applied to the means for disengagingthe blade from the blade lock mechanism.
 20. The retractor of claim 19,further comprising means for resetting the blade lock mechanism so thatthe position of the blade can be locked.